Index Archive

06 November 2012

British Punished Rajkot ruler Suraji Jadeja for facilitating murder of newborn baby
Killing a newborn baby female child is a very common custom, practice in India; today also Indian parents murder a newborn female baby child.

On November 6, 1833 Exactly 178 years ago on this day, first female infanticide in Gujarat was penalized by great British Government a Rajkot ruler, Suraji Jadeja was penalized Rs 12,000 cash by the British government for facilitating female infanticide

Infanticide meaning –

1)
the killing of an infant

2)
the practice of killing newborn infants, still prevalent in some primitive societies, cultures

3)
a person who kills an infant

British administration had carried out a sustained campaign to eradicate the evil practice.

But our Indian government is very slow in punishing such evil humans who murder the female child and doctors who help such parents they are also not punished by Indian government.

TOI reported that in Gujarat state there are cases under PCPNDT Act are pending against 208 doctors in the state

I am sure it’s same story in every Indian state.

Do the crimes no one is going to punish you

Yes, you will be punished only if you fail to give bribes from top to bottom.

According an account 'Suppression Of Female Infanticide In The Province Of Kattywar' by Alexander Walker and JP Willoughby, an inquiry into the incident was conducted by political agent Captain Lang and reported to Walker, who was the Resident of Baroda.

Lang's report to his superior described how Suraji's employees were involved in this female infanticide.
Suraji initially denied charge saying that the birth was premature, and hence it was registered.

However, the attendants revealed before the inquiry officer how the newborn was not allowed to live by not removing placenta and making respiration impossible.

Lang prescribed exemplary punishment for Suraji so that the evil practice among the rulers could be curbed. In his report, Lang mentioned, "He (Suraji) has not even expressed contrition for the heinous crime he has committed; he is evidently alarmed for the consequences that may ensue, but he does not appear to feel ashamed of the unnatural deed he has perpetrated."

Refraining from inflicting extreme punishment, Lang proposed a fine of Rs 12,000 and till then Suraji's state would remain attached.

The British even made entire staff that was involved in this incident, fired from Suraji's court.

The proposal was accepted a year later and Suraji was warned that if another incident of female infanticide happened, it would cost him his estate.